I didn't know UPS recycles their tracking numbers....I freaked out when i saw that my yankee candle shipment has been delivered to CLEVELAND, but it turns out that it was the last destination that the tracking number was used....bah. How silly is that! You'd think they would remove the old info from the website when they recycle their numbers.

I had discovered that little black rings had been forming around my iskin keyboard protector. Not sure if it's soot buildup from all the candles I had been building or just getting dirty over time. But after spending 10 minutes with some comet bathroom cleaner I have managed to remove most of it. Yikes, that was gross. Would have upset me terribly if the damage had been permanent. Now my keyboard protector is out off waiting to be washed. It's weird, feels very differently to be typing without it (and very loud too). :)

I had forgotten how fabulous the after christmas sales are. Already bought some stuff, best part is, I didn't have to leave my computer! Much better than braving the crowds in the mall and then the store not having what you want.

L'orangerie

Eric and I went to L'orangerie in west hollywood for dinner tonight. We had been there before, but this time was decidedly different. Being so close to Christmas, coupled with the fact that the restaurant is closing its doors after twenty years, there was a huge crowd as we got in. We had to wait at least 30 min for our table, which I thought was very unusual at such a fancy place. The food was really quite fabulous, though we were decidedly a little disappointed that the Chateaubriand was not on the menu tonight. I guess it was too much work for the chef. I had a vegetable risotto with black truffle, a john dory and the ever so decadent chocolate souffle for dessert. Needless to say, I was stuffed to the point that I wasn't able to finish the souffle. Eric had lobster bisque with mushroom ravioli, lamb loin and a cheese plate. It was the first time I ever ate truffle, and I think its interesting, though I have to admit I didn't see the big deal over smelly mushrooms. The risotto itself, however, was absolutely divine, made not with rice but all veggies chopped finely. Yum! We were glad we got to go there one last time.

current candle scent: fresh linen. Something about clean smelling clothes

One side effect of running in the cold--my ears hurt after I come back into the warm and toasty house.

The gift I ended up with at the lab gift exchange. It's a sea urchin votive holder. Fits with the candle theme.

Kat gave me this for Christmas. It smells nice, though I have to admit that I still associate incense with temples. Lately though, I have developed an interest in candles. Somehow it's very calming to have one nearby while I am writing.

It's really cold tonight. As I was returning from Kat's house my car thermometer registered 41F, or 5C. Yikes!

Concert last night went well; I'm still not into holiday music, though I have to say Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium is still one of the most beautiful pieces ever written, IMHO. I'm just bummed that I have had to turn down 4 gigs this season because I'm writing my never ending thesis, including one at a major recording studio for some movie trailers, one at Disney hall and one at the video game awards.

My heightened stress level has been giving me sleep issues..these days I would go to bed late, feeling very tired, and unable to fall asleep, and when I do I sleep for 12 hr stretches. Of course, according the black-and-white world of NJ, I should just stay up if I can't fall asleep and WORK!

All my christmas gifts are here, with the exception of one thing, which I asked to be delivered on the 15th....whoopee!

diaper genie is cool. No more running out of plastic baggies and stinky poo and pee

Picture of litter locker

Diaper Genie

No I don't have babies, but heard this is a great tool for storing cat litter. Am still trying to get the hang of the system. If it doesn't work out I'll get myself the litter locker for a little more instead.